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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania » Eastern Regional Research Center » Sustainable Biofuels and Co-products Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #414947
Research Project: Chemical Conversion of Biomass into High Value Products

Location: Sustainable Biofuels and Co-products Research

Title: Distillers corn oil (DCO): A study of recent advancements in the processing techniques for this unique fuel source

Author
item SHAH, RAJ - Koehler Instrument Company, Inc
item NOWICKI, JACQUE - Valero Renewables Fuels, Minnesota
item PAI, NIKHIL - Koehler Instrument Company, Inc
item THOMAS, GAVIN - Koehler Instrument Company, Inc
item KOHLI, KIRTIKA - Indian Institute Of Petroleum
item Sharma, Brajendra - Bk

Submitted to: Petro Industry News
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/13/2024
Publication Date: 5/17/2024
Citation: Shah, R., Nowicki, J., Pai, N.Y., Thomas, G.S., Kohli, K., Sharma, B.K. 2024. Distillers corn oil (DCO): A study of recent advancements in the processing techniques for this unique fuel source. Petro Industry News. 25:8-11.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Distillers corn oil (DCO) is a rather unique fuel source. In a world of fossil fuels and electrical power, synthesizing viable mechanical fuel from a food source seems remarkable, if not impossible. While refined corn oil is used mainly as a cooking oil due to its high smoke point, modern technologies have developed processes that transform corn crops into ethanol, an alternative fuel manufactured primarily in the United States. This form of ethanol remains the most produced, with roughly 40% of U.S. corn crops dedicated specifically to ethanol manufacturing. While corn proves to be a stable source of ethanol, DCO is a byproduct of ethanol production. Unlike refined corn oil, historically DCO has not proven to be a viable feedstock for biodiesel due to its relatively high price. However, the U.S. and other countries have begun favoring the use of DCO for biodiesel synthesis, as DCO is becoming the fastest-expanding feedstock for biodiesel. Since then, corn oil production has experienced remarkable growth and development, as new techniques and methods increase DCO production and further refine corn oil efficiency. The past five years are emblematic of its growth as a fuel source as innovations and production lines have further optimized corn oil’s viability as both a fuel source and a consumable product. This article will detail several advancements made within last five years, remarking on their impact and positive implications on the future of DCO in both feed and biodiesel production.